Peer Calls for Tory Action to Block Antisemitic Candidate

POLICY WIRE — London, UK — A UK peer has called on the Conservative Party to take action to block Joshua Bonehill-Paine from standing as a candidate in the 2027 Somerset Council election....

Editorial Desk

August 5, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — London, UK — A UK peer has called on the Conservative Party to take action to block Joshua Bonehill-Paine from standing as a candidate in the 2027 Somerset Council election. Bonehill-Paine, who was previously jailed for neo-Nazi activism and antisemitic abuse, has been selected to contest a seat in the upcoming election.

The peer, who has been a vocal critic of Bonehill-Paine’s past actions, urged the Conservative Party to reassess its candidate selection process. “It’s imperative that the party takes a firm stand against individuals with a history of hate and extremism,” the peer stated.

Bonehill-Paine’s criminal record includes convictions for sending antisemitic messages to a former MP. Despite this, he has managed to secure a place on the Conservative Party’s candidate list for the Somerset Council.

The Conservative Party has yet to comment on the peer’s call for action. The party’s internal procedures for vetting candidates are under scrutiny as this development unfolds.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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